Coupling Structure of Retractable Handle-Equipped Luggage

ABSTRACT

A coupling structure of retractable handle-equipped luggage includes a luggage housing comprising an upper housing member and a lower housing member equipped with a retractable handle, a double open end zipper including a second zipper tape stitched to the rim of the upper housing member, a first zipper tape stitched to the rim of the lower housing member, a box affixed to each of two opposite ends of the first zipper tape, a pin affixed to each of two opposite end of the second zipper tape and two zipper sliders mounted to the first zipper tape and respectively provided with a pull tap that is fastenable to a customs lock at the lower housing member, two detachable flexible buckles stitched to the upper and lower housing members, and a detachable hinge mounted to the upper housing member and the lower housing member between the two detachable flexible buckles.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to luggage technology and moreparticularly, to a coupling structure of retractable handle-equippedluggage.

2. Description of the Related Art

U.S. patent Ser. No. 15/059,403 (Publication Number US2017/0261771 A1)discloses a double open end zipper-based luggage, which is invented byand issued to the present inventor. The double open end zipper used inthe double open end zipper-based luggage includes first and secondzipper tapes respectively stitched to the N-shaped plastic strips at thefirst and second housing members of the luggage housing in reverseddirections with the box and pin of the first zipper tape respectivelydisposed adjacent to the pin and box of the second zipper tape subjectto the guidance of a mark line at each N-shaped plastic strip, a seamallowance constraint block located at an outer rear side of the box ofeach of the first and second zipper tapes, and two zipper slidersrespectively coupled to first and second zipper tape. However, in thezipper slider mounting process (insertion of zipper tapes into thezipper sliders) during luggage fabrication, it is necessary to performthe process twice. Further, for enabling the pull taps of the zippersliders to be lockable to the customs lock, the orientation of the pulltap of each zipper slider must be accurately checked. Customer feedbackindicates that workers often mount the zipper sliders in the wrongdirection, or it is difficult to distinguish the directionality of thepull taps. Actually, the two zipper sliders on one same zipper tape mustbe disposed opposite to each other. For enabling the pull taps of thezipper sliders to be lockable to the customs lock, the pull taps of thetwo zipper sliders must be disposed in reversed directions. Therefore,the two zipper sliders must not be set in the same direction. Duringinstallation, a mistake may occur. If the two zipper sliders areinstalled in the wrong direction, the installation must be revised. Whenmounting the zipper sliders, the worker must simultaneously hold thefirst and second housing members in position, which is very laboriousand inefficient. Further, because the cloth strips between the first andsecond housing members are flexible, when the user opens the luggagehousing, the first or second housing member being opened will vibraterelative to the second or first housing member. Further, the T-shapedprotector that is detachably mountable in between the first and secondhousing members to shield the boxes of the first and second zipper tapesdoes not work like a hinge, thus, the first and lower housing memberscannot be turned relative to each other through 180 degree angle to afully open status. Thus, this design is simply applicable to soft shellluggages but not suitable for hard shell luggage. The use of this priorart design is subject to certain restrictions and needs to be improvedagain.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,390,259B1 disclosed a retractable but not detachablewheeled luggage. U.S. Pat. No. 7,641,040B1 also disclosed a retractabletextile apparatus, but can not be separated completely.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been accomplished under the circumstances inview. It is the main object of the present invention to provide acoupling structure of retractable handle-equipped luggage, which isapplicable to soft and hard shell luggage and bags, facilitating quickzipper slider installation and avoiding installation mistakes.

To achieve this and other objects of the present invention, the couplingstructure of retractable handle-equipped luggage includes a luggagehousing comprising an upper housing member and a lower housing memberequipped with a retractable handle, a double open end zipper including asecond zipper tape stitched to the rim of the upper housing member, afirst zipper tape stitched to the rim of the lower housing member, a boxaffixed to each of two opposite ends of the first zipper tape, a pinaffixed to each of two opposite end of the second zipper tape and twozipper sliders mounted to the second zipper tape and respectivelyprovided with a pull tap that is fastenable to a customs lock at thelower housing member, two detachable flexible buckles stitched to theupper and lower housing members, and a detachable hinge mounted to theupper housing member and the lower housing member between the twodetachable flexible buckles. The upper housing member and the lowerhousing member can be separated easily by dismounting the first bucklemember and the second buckle member and disengaging the pins at thesecond zipper tape from the boxes at the first zipper tape and thenremoving the hinge axle of the detachable hinge from the axle housingsof the other hinge plates. If the detachable flexible buckle is used,the user can manually unfasten the wing nut and then remove the screwbolt, enabling the upper and lower housing members to be fullyseparated. The upper housing member and the lower housing member can bereceived together for packaging to reduce the volume of the luggage.When the upper and lower housing members of a plurality of luggagehousings are packaged and transported together to the destination, thecomplete luggage housings can be quickly and manually assembled withoutany tools. This design reduces luggage housing packaging and shippingcosts. When the upper and lower housing members are received and packedtogether, the luggage housing can bear high pressure duringtransportation, avoiding deformation and damage. The arrangement of theextension shell 6 between the upper and lower housing members greatlyincreases the storage volume of the luggage housing. When the extensionshell is not used, it can be attached to the inside wall of the luggagehousing, facilitating application.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a coupling structure of retractablehandle-equipped luggage in accordance with a first embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic enlarged view of a part of the first embodiment ofthe present invention, illustrating an opened status of the double openend zipper.

FIG. 3 illustrates the detachable flexible buckle mounted to the upperand lower housing members and disposed outside the luggage housing.

FIG. 4 is a schematic enlarged front view of the detachable flexiblebuckle.

FIG. 5 is a schematic enlarged top view of the detachable flexiblebuckle.

FIG. 6 corresponds to FIG. 4, illustrating a detached status of thedetachable flexible buckle.

FIG. 7 corresponds to FIG. 5, illustrating a detached status of thedetachable flexible buckle.

FIG. 8 illustrates the detachable flexible buckle mounted to the upperand lower housing members and disposed inside the luggage housing.

FIG. 9 illustrates the internal structure of the luggage housing afterthe detachable hinge stitched to the upper and lower housing members.

FIG. 10 is a rear side view of the luggage housing after the detachablehinge stitched to the upper and lower housing members.

FIG. 11 is a front side view of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is an elevational view, in an enlarged scale, of the detachablehinge.

FIG. 13 is an exploded view, in an enlarged scale, of the detachablehinge.

FIG. 14 is an elevational view, in an enlarged scale, of one hinge plateof the detachable hinge.

FIG. 15 is a schematic drawing illustrating the internal structure ofthe luggage housing of the second embodiment of the present inventionafter the detachable hinge stitched to the upper and lower housingmembers.

FIG. 16 is a schematic drawing illustrating the external structure ofthe luggage housing of the second embodiment of the present inventionafter the detachable hinge stitched to the upper and lower housingmembers.

FIG. 17 is an exploded enlarged view of the detachable hinge of thesecond embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is an elevational enlarged view of the detachable hinge of thesecond embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is an exploded enlarged view of the third embodiment of thepresent invention, illustrating the housing member connected by zipper.

FIG. 20 is an exploded enlarged view of the third embodiment of thepresent invention, illustrating the thickened housing member connectedby aluminum alloy strip.

FIG. 21 is a schematic front view of the third embodiment of the presentinvention, illustrating the annular extension shell connected betweenthe upper housing member and the lower housing member.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Embodiment I

A coupling structure of retractable handle-equipped luggage inaccordance with a first embodiment of the present invention comprises aluggage housing 1 of either hard shell or soft shell design thatcomprises an upper housing member 11 and a lower housing member 13 thatis equipped with a retractable handle 12, a double open end zipper 2that comprises a second zipper tape 22 stitched to the rim of the upperhousing member 11, a first zipper tape 21 stitched to the rim of thelower housing member 13 (see FIG. 1), a box 23 affixed to each of twoopposite ends of the first zipper tape 21, a pin 24 affixed to each oftwo opposite end of the second zipper tape22 for mating with onerespective box 23 and two zipper sliders 25 mounted to the first zippertape 21 and respectively provided with a pull tap 26 that is fastenableto a customs lock 27 at the lower housing member 13 (see FIG. 2), twodetachable flexible buckles 3 stitched to the upper housing member 11and the lower housing member 13 (see FIG. 3), and a detachable hinge 4mounted to the upper housing member 11 and the lower housing member 13between the two detachable flexible buckles 3 (see FIG. 4). Thedetachable flexible buckle 3 is made of TPU (thermoplastic polyurethaneelastomer rubber), but it can of course be made of other similarsemi-soft thermoplastic materials. The detachable flexible buckle 3 (seeFIGS. 4-7) consists of a first buckle member 31 and a second bucklemember 32. The first buckle member 31 and the second buckle member 32are two opposite zigzags. The first buckle member 31 has three locatinggrooves 33 located on a head thereof, and a hook hole 36 in eachlocating groove 33. The second buckle member 32 has three neckedlocating strips 34 extended from a head thereof corresponding to thelocating grooves 33 of the first buckle member 31, and a hook pin 35perpendicularly downwardly extended from each necked locating strip 34for hooking in the hook hole 36 in one respective locating groove 33.Further, the three necked locating strips 34 of the detachable flexiblebuckle 3 can be disposed outside the luggage housing 1 (see FIG. 3), orinside the luggage housing 1 (see FIG. 8). In other words, thedetachable flexible buckle 3 necked locating strips 34 of the detachableflexible buckle 3 can be disposed inside or outside the luggage housing1 according to actual needs.

The detachable hinge 4 pivotally connects the upper housing member 11and the lower housing member together (see FIGS. 9 and 10). Asillustrated in FIGS. 12-14, the detachable hinge 4 comprises twoidentical hinge plates 41, and a hinge axle 44 mounted in between thetwo hinge plates 41. The hinge plate 41 comprises an axle housing 411,an open side 412, an arched hook portion 413 suspending in the open side412, at least one plug rod 4131 located on an inner side of the archedhook portion 413, at least one engagement hole 4132 cut through opposingleft and right sides of the arched hook portion 413, an axle hole 4111defined in the axle housing 411 (see FIG. 13), at least one plug hole4112 located on a top side of the axle housing 411, and at least oneengagement block 4113 located on one lateral side of the axle housing411. The hinge axle 44 has two opposite ends thereof respectivelyinserted into the axle holes 4111 of the axle housings 411 of the twohinge plates 41 to pivotally connect the two hinge plates 41 together,enabling the at least one plug rod 4131 of one hinge plate 41 to beplugged into the at least one plug hole 4112 of the other hinge plate 41and the at least one engagement block 4113 of one hinge plate 41 to beengaged into the at least one engagement hole 4132 of the other hingeplate 41 to achieve a double blocking effect, prohibiting relativedisplacement between the two hinge plates 41 in the axial direction aswell as the transverse direction. When biasing the arched hook portion413 (in the arrowhead direction shown in FIG. 12) to disengage the atleast one plug rod 4131 from the corresponding at least one plug hole4112, the at least one engagement block 4113 is also disengaged from thecorresponding at least one engagement hole 4132, allowing separation ofthe two hinge plates 41.

In the stitching installation of the detachable flexible buckles 3, thearched hook portions 413 of the two hinge plates 41 are all in the sameorientation, both facing the inner cavity of the luggage housing 1. Thisarrangement prevents the arched hook portions 413 of the two hingeplates 41 to be biased by an evil person from the outside of the luggagehousing 1 to disengage the at least one plug rod 4131 from the at leastone plug hole 4112 and the at least one engagement block 4112 from theat least one engagement hole 4132. The detachable hinge 4 blocks the gapbetween the ends of the double open end zipper 2. The hinge plates 41are made of TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer rubber), but theycan of course be made of other similar semi-soft thermoplasticmaterials. The hinge axle 44 is made of metal. The detachable flexiblebuckles 3 are made of TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer rubber)so that they can be directly stitched to the upper and lower housingmembers 11;13. Instead of rivet operations with traditional metalfittings, the luggage processing is easier.

Embodiment II

A coupling structure of retractable handle-equipped luggage inaccordance with a second embodiment of the present invention is shown.This second embodiment is substantially similar to the aforesaid firstembodiment with the exception of the detachable hinge. The detachablehinge 5 in this second embodiment is disposed between the two detachableflexible buckles 3 to vertically or horizontally couple the upperhousing member 11 and the lower housing member 13 together (see FIGS. 15and 16). As shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, the detachable hinge 5 comprisestwo L-shaped flexible connection plates 51, a cover plate 52 coveringthe two L-shaped flexible connection plates 51 at a top side, a cushionplate 53 attached to the two L-shaped flexible connection plates 51 atan opposing bottom side, a screw bolt 54 vertically downwardly insertedthrough the cover plate 52 and the cushion plate 53, and a wing nut 55threaded onto the screw bolt 54 and abutted against a bottom side of thecushion plate 53 opposite to the cover plate 52 to secure the coverplate 52, the L-shaped flexible connection plates 51 and the cushionplate 53 firmly together. The two L-shaped flexible connection plates 51are made of TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer rubber), but theycan of course be made of other similar semi-soft thermoplasticmaterials. Further, the two L-shaped flexible connection plates 51 arerespectively stitched to the upper housing member 11 and the lowerhousing member 13. The pins 24 and boxes 23 of the double open endzipper 2 are secured to the inside of a

-shaped open chamber 521 that is longitudinally defined in the coverplate 52 so that the cover plate 52 blocks the gap between the oppositeside of boxes 23 of the two ends of the double open end zipper 2. Twotracks 511, 511′ of inner side of two connection plates 51, 51′ arecorresponding to the track 522 of the cover plate 52. The cover plate 52of the detachable hinge 5 further has a transverse open chamber 523perpendicularly communicated with the longitudinally extended

-shaped open chamber 521 is suitable for use in a luggage housing thatis mounted with an extension shell 6. The connection plate 51 iscomprising two plates 510′. An open chamber 5101′ is formed after thetwo plates 510′ assembled in order to let double open end zipper 2passed.

Embodiment III

Since the upper housing member 11 and the lower housing member 13 arestructurally detachable, an annular extension shell (see FIG. 19) can beprovided between the upper housing member 11 and the lower housingmember 13 by connection of zipper 10 or by an aluminum alloy strip 20(see. 20) to increase the volume of the luggage housing 1. The annularextension shell 6 (see FIG. 21) comprises an annular shell body 61fitting the configuration of the rim of the upper housing member 11 orthe lower housing member 13, a second zipper tape 22 and a first zippertape 21 respectively stitched along two opposite sides of the annularshell body 61 and detachably fastenable to the first zipper tape 21 atthe lower housing member 13 and the second zipper tape 22 at the upperhousing member 11 by the zipper sliders 25. Further, the thickness (orso-called width) S of the annular extension shell 6 can be variouslyconfigured to meet different requirements. One luggage housing 1 can beequipped with multiple annular extension shells 6 of different thicknessS for option. The extension shell 6 can be made of a foldable flexibleor hard material.

In the installation of the luggage housing, insert the pins 24 at thetwo ends of the second zipper tape 22 through the two zipper sliders 25into the respective boxes 23 at the two ends of the first zipper tape 21and simultaneously assemble the detachable hinge 4 or 5 at the upperhousing member 11 and the lower housing member 13, then pull the twozipper sliders 25 upwardly or downwardly to the opposing top and bottomsides of the luggage housing 1, then fasten up the two detachableflexible buckles 3 to secure the upper housing member 11 and the lowerhousing member 13 closely together. Thus, the luggage housing isassembled and closed. Dismounting the luggage housing is achieved byperforming the aforesaid steps reversely. After separation of the upperhousing member 11 and the lower housing member 13, the upper housingmember 11 can be attached to the inside of the lower housing member 13for packaging, minimizing the volume and saving the packing materialsand costs. Further, because the upper housing member 11 is receivedinside the lower housing member 13, the package can bear high pressure,avoiding delivery damage.

Furthermore, the aforementioned extension shell can be linked by thestraight detachable hinge or by the T-shaped detachable hinge.

Further, a N-shaped plastic strip 70 (see FIG. 9) can be connected tothe stitches between the upper and lower housing members 11,13 and thesecond and first zipper tapes 22,21 to prevent the zipper sliders fromgetting stuck.

In conclusion, the present invention can be summarized as having thefollowing enhancement effects:

1. The boxes 23 at the two side of two zipper sliders 25 of doubleopened end zipper 2 and the pins 24 at the other side of the doubleopened end zipper 2 enable the teeth of the zipper easily positioned.Additional the detachable hinges 4,5 at the upper housing member 11 andthe lower housing member 13 enables easily sealed, separated andassembled.2. The upper housing member 11 and the lower housing member 13 can beseparated easily by dismounting the first buckle member 31 and thesecond buckle member 32 and disengaging the pins 24 at the second zippertape 22 from the boxes 23 at the first zipper tape 21 and then removingthe hinge axle 44 of the detachable hinge 4 from the axle housings 411of the other hinge plates 41. If the detachable flexible buckle 3 isused, the user can manually unfasten the wing nut 55 and then remove thescrew bolt 54, enabling the upper and lower housing members 11,13 to befully separated.3. The upper housing member 11 and the lower housing member 13 can bereceived together for packaging to reduce the volume of the luggage.When the upper and lower housing members of a plurality of luggagehousings 1 are packaged and transported together to the destination, thecomplete luggage housings 1 can be quickly and manually assembledwithout any tools. This design reduces luggage housing packaging andshipping costs.4. When the upper and lower housing members 11,13 are received andpacked together, the luggage housing 1 can bear high pressure duringtransportation, avoiding deformation and damage. The arrangement of theextension shell 6 between the upper and lower housing members 11,13greatly increases the storage volume of the luggage housing 1. When theextension shell 6 is not used, it can be attached to the inside wall ofthe luggage housing 1, facilitating application.

What is claimed is:
 1. A coupling structure of retractablehandle-equipped luggage, comprising: a luggage housing comprising anupper housing member and a lower housing member equipped with aretractable handle; a double open end zipper comprising a second zippertape stitched to a rim of said upper housing member, a first zipper tapestitched to a rim of said lower housing member, a box affixed to each oftwo opposite ends of said first zipper tape, a pin affixed to each oftwo opposite end of said second zipper tape for mating with onerespective said box and two zipper sliders mounted to said first zippertape and respectively provided with a pull tap that is fastenable to acustoms lock at said lower housing member; two detachable flexiblebuckles stitched to said upper housing member and said lower housingmember; and a detachable hinge mounted to said upper housing member andsaid lower housing member between said two detachable flexible bucklesenables easily fully separated and reassembled.
 2. The couplingstructure of retractable handle-equipped luggage as claimed in claim 1,wherein said detachable flexible buckle prefer made of TPU(thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer rubber), comprising a first bucklemember and a second buckle member, said first buckle member and saidsecond buckle member being two opposite zigzags, said first bucklemember comprising a plurality of locating grooves located on a headthereof, said second buckle member comprising a plurality of neckedlocating strips extended from a head thereof and detachably fastenableto said locating grooves of said first buckle member.
 3. The couplingstructure of retractable handle-equipped luggage as claimed in claim 1,wherein said detachable hinge comprises two identical hinge plates madeof TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer rubber) and a hinge axlemade of metal and mounted in between said two hinge plates, each saidhinge plate comprising an axle housing, an open side, an arched hookportion suspending in said open side, at least one plug rod located onan inner side of said arched hook portion, at least one engagement holecut through opposing left and right sides of said arched hook portion,an axle hole defined in said axle housing, at least one plug holelocated on a top side of said axle housing and at least one engagementblock located on one lateral side of said axle housing, said hinge axlehaving two opposite ends thereof respectively inserted into said axleholes of said axle housings of said two hinge plates to pivotallyconnect said two hinge plates together for enabling said at least oneplug rod of one said hinge plate to be plugged into said at least oneplug hole of the other said hinge plate and also for enabling said atleast one engagement block of one said hinge plate to be engaged intosaid at least one engagement hole of the other said hinge plate.
 4. Thecoupling structure of retractable handle-equipped luggage as claimed inclaim 1, wherein the upper housing member and the lower housing memberconnected an annular shell body by a zipper or an aluminum alloy strip,the said annular extension shell comprising an annular shell bodyfitting the configuration of the rim of the upper housing member or thelower housing member, a second zipper tape and a first zipper tape. 5.The coupling structure of retractable handle-equipped luggage as claimedin claim 1, wherein said detachable hinge is a straight hinge comprisingtwo L-shaped flexible connection plates respectively affixed to saidupper housing member and said lower housing member, a cover platecovering said two L-shaped flexible connection plates at a top side, acushion plate attached to said two L-shaped flexible connection platesat an opposing bottom side, two tracks of the said inner side of saidtwo connection plates corresponding to a track of the said cover plate,a screw bolt vertically downwardly inserted through said cover plate andsaid cushion plate, and a wing nut threaded onto said screw bolt andabutted against a bottom side of said cushion plate opposite to saidcover plate to secure said cover plate, said L-shaped flexibleconnection plates and said cushion plate together, said cover platedefining therein a

-shaped open chamber that accommodates said pins and said boxes of saiddouble open end zipper so that said cover plate blocks the gap betweenthe opposite side of boxes of the two ends of the double open endzipper.
 6. The coupling structure of retractable handle-equipped luggageas claimed in claim 5, wherein the said cover plate of the detachablehinge further having a transverse open chamber perpendicularlycommunicated with the longitudinally extended

-shaped open chamber suitable for use in a luggage housing that ismounted with an extension shell, the said connection plate comprisingtwo plates, an open chamber formed after the two plates assembled inorder letting the said double open end zipper passed, the said annularextension shell detachably connected between said upper housing memberand said lower housing member, said extension shell comprising asubsidiary second zipper tape and a subsidiary first zipper taperespectively detachably fastenable to said first zipper tape and saidsecond zipper tape by said zipper sliders.